Top And Bottom Burger Buns Actually Have Names And Almost Nobody Knows Them

Burger buns are the source of much bickering within the fast food and gourmet world. Debates over the best type of bread, ideal level of toastiness, or even bun alternatives can lead to heated discussions about the hamburger holder (although some argue that burger buns don't really matter). But while most of us may group the two pieces of bread together, you might be surprised to find out that they actually have their own names. No, it's not just a "top" and "bottom" bun, even though that's probably what you've been calling them. The correct terminology is the "crown" for the top and the "heel" for the bottom.

These aren't just proprietary names at certain burger joints, either. The domed crown and flattened heel have been used in burger recipes in the United States and abroad for many decades. Even fast food restaurants train their employees with these bun terms. In some rare cases, a burger bun may have three parts if there's a middle bun. This section is known as the club and is featured most famously in the Big Mac to give it that iconic three-part structure. For most other burgers though, you'll typically only be met with a heel and a crown.

It may sound odd that burger buns have unique names for its parts, whereas most other bread products don't. But it makes sense once you know why burger buns were invented in the first place. Initially, a hamburger consisted of burger meat that was slapped between two identical slices of bread or toast. But this proved to be messy. After all, even modern-day buns have a tendency to dissolve when met with burger juice.

It wasn't until 1916 that a man by the name of Walter Anderson decided that he'd had enough of sloppy burger hands. While the origin of the modern hamburger bun is debated, many believe Anderson took a flattened ground beef patty, cut a square-shaped, dough-heavy baked bun in half, and layered them into what we know today as a hamburger. It's unknown if Anderson actually used the terms crown and heel or if that language came a bit later. Anderson went on to co-found the famed burger chain White Castle and is credited with the invention of the first slider. Talk about (quite literally) making burger history. 

Nowadays, there are countless types of burger buns ranging from the classic 1930s sesame seed to brioche, a choice that Anthony Bourdain famously hated. You can even use lettuce or pita if you really want to get creative. Still, regardless of whatever bun or bread alternative you use for your burger, one thing remains the same: it will always have its crown and its heel.